Amazon wants to spend $5B on second HQ. Could Michigan win it?

Online retailer Amazon plans to expand by creating twin headquarters, it announced this morning.

The Seattle-based company issued a request for proposals (RFP) from cities, regions and states - and any configuration among them - as it seeks to establish what it calls Amazon HQ2, or a second headquarters city in North America.

The new HQ is a significant proposition.

The initial investment could reach $5 billion over the 15-17 years the company estimates for the new HQ to reach its full size - which could be about 8 million square feet.

It also estimates that it could end up employing 50,000 people. The average annual wage could top $100,000.

"We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters, " said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, in a news release. "Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in up-front and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. We're excited to find a second home."

Gov. Rick Snyder thinks Michigan is a contender.

“Michigan’s wealth of talent and a vastly improved business climate have perfectly positioned our state to become home to Amazon’s next North American headquarters," he said in a statement. "Not only is Michigan a top-10 state for doing business and attracting 25-34 year-olds, our workforce is growing at a higher rate than the national average and we lead the region in inbound migration for those with bachelor’s degrees or higher.

“While there are many encouraging business reasons for Amazon to set up shop in Michigan, I firmly believe that our most impressive asset is the incredible, hard-working Michiganders who make our state the best in the nation.”

Here's what Amazon touts about its plans:

Direct from the news release:

New headquarters will be a full equal to Amazon Seattle, and is expected to grow to 50,000 employees as part of the company’s ongoing job creation.

Amazon plans to invest over $5 billion in construction and operation of Amazon HQ2.

In addition to Amazon's direct hiring and investment, construction and operation of Amazon HQ2 is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in construction and related industries, and generate tens of billions of dollars in additional investment in the city where Amazon HQ2 is located.